Majors board pushed back to December 2014

Nov. 5, 2013 - 05:53PM
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AIR FORCE SETS PROMOTION BOARD SCHEDULE FOR 2014

The Air Force has announced the promotion board schedule for 2014, with senior master sergeants up first for their evaluation board Jan. 21-Feb. 7. As in past years, three special selection boards are scheduled, for January, June and September. A majors’ Line of the Air Force board is scheduled for December 2014, after an overage of line captains commissioned in 2005 forced the cancellation of this year’s board. Air Force officials said in September 2012 that the 2013 majors’ board would be postponed until at least mid-2014. The schedule: Jan. 13-17

Special Selection Boards Jan. 21-Feb. 7

Senior Master Sgt. Evaluation Board March 3-21

Col. Line of the Air Force-J (P0614A); Lt. Col. Line of the Air Force (P0514A); Lt. Col. Line of the Air Force-J (P0514A); Major Line of the Air Force-J (P0414A) June 3

Air National Guard General Officer Federal Recognition Board June 9-13

The last majors board was held in December 2012. This means captains hoping to be promoted will have been waiting two years for a shot at an oak leaf.

In September 2012, the Air Force announced that record-high retention had led it to push the December 2013 board back to July 2014, effectively canceling the 2013 majors board.

This affected roughly 2,500 line captains commissioned in 2005. Many colonels and lieutenant colonels were postponing retirement and staying on active duty, and not opening positions that junior officers can be promoted into, Air Force officials said at the time.

The Air Force has not responded to repeated requests to explain the delay.

One captain in the 2005 class, who asked that his name not be used, said the additional delay makes him feel like the Air Force takes his year group for granted.

“Why have we gone through all this force structuring, just to go through the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and now we’re being told wait another year?” he said. “I feel like our year group is constantly pushed aside. I just wish the Air Force would communicate better with us, ‘It’s now [a delay of] 12 months, and here’s why.’ ”

The captain said he’s concerned that the further delay will also push back pin-on dates for the captains who are eventually selected for promotion to major. This would mean lost pay as those captains are waiting for their promotion — and accompanying raise — to become effective.

And he fears the current delay will have repercussions for years and put the promotion boards for future ranks behind schedule.

“Is it going to affect us when we go for lieutenant colonel, and for colonel?” he said. “How much will we lose from these promotion boards being pushed back?”